The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Tuesday appeared in court as part of the prosecution team in the ongoing trial of the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged criminal defamation before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) is facing charges over an alleged social media post in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal”.
… was reportedly made on Sowore’s 𝕏 and Facebook accounts.
Following the publication, the DSS charged Sowore with criminal defamation, cyberstalking and incitement.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Fagbemi led a team of lawyers representing the prosecution, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, among others.
The AGF urged the court to reject a letter subpoenaing the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatisin Ajayi, to appear and testify as a defence witness.
Fagbemi argued that there was no need for the DSS Director-General to appear as a witness, saying the security agency had already cooperated with the defence in the proceedings.
The minister said the DSS had been responsive enough to allow the second defence witness, an official of the service, to testify during the previous adjourned sitting.
According to him, the request for Ajayi to appear personally was an attempt to delay the conclusion of the case.
Fagbemi therefore asked the court to reject the subpoenaed letter seeking the appearance of the DSS Director-General.
The prosecution’s objection is expected to be considered by the court as the trial continues.
Sowore, a prominent activist and publisher, has repeatedly faced legal battles over his activities and public statements, while his supporters have continued to describe his prosecution as an attempt to suppress his freedom of expression.
The case before the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to continue as the court considers the arguments of both the prosecution and defence teams.
